Loren POV

I ran out of the room as fast as I could. Escape was the only thing on my mind. I knew there was no way I could stop the tears and loud sobbing from making an appearance. Also, I knew I never wanted to give Louis the satisfaction of seeing me be weak. Not to mention, I am an ugly crier and Lord knows I was not going to let that arse see me in an even more unflattering light.

I flew through the hallway, up the grand staircase, and up to the second floor looking for the only solace I’ve known the past 10 years.

“Sonja! Sonja!” I choked out through my tears. “Sonja! Where are you?!” I kept running down the hall to the back staircase and began the trek to the third floor.

“Son—“

“Loren! I’m right here!” She ran out of one of the guest rooms she was preparing. Of course, Sonja was on the opposite end of the hallway and I ran as fast as I could towards her. When she saw my appearance, she rushed towards me and engulfed me in a hug. Sonja rocked me in her arms, stroking my back with her hands. “Shhhhh baby girl. It’s okay.” She rocked me back and forth while hugging me and it slightly calmed me down, but I still was sobbing.

“Let’s sit down and you tell me what happened,” she cooed. I nodded because I still couldn’t speak. Sonja kept her arm around me as we made our way over to the bench in the hallway. I put my head in my hands and continued to cry while Sonja rubbed my back, failing to calm me further.

“Loren. Did Louis do this to you? Because if he did, I’ll beat his arse myself,” she questioned with anger in her voice. That actually made me chuckle, but it still took me a minute to compose myself to answer her.

“Shockingly enough, no. It wasn’t Louis.” I choked out.

“Well, what happened dear?”

“My father actually intends for Harlow to be my engagement ring.” Apparently, I wasn’t alone in my shock at his actions because Sonja’s response to the news was an audible gasp and her hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide.

“Oh baby girl. Something serious is going on for him to pull out Harlow.” Sonja said as she tried to comfort me.

“I just can’t wear it. It’s a slap in the face. Harlow means everything to me and Louis means nothing,” I say as I burst into tears again and Sonja comforts me. Moments later, I’m ripped from my pity party when I hear someone clear his throat and I jump in surprise.

Harry POV

I left Alfonso’s study and went in search of Loren. Honestly, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack given the size of this mansion. Luckily, I ran into a maid who told me she saw Loren run up the main staircase. At least that eliminated the ground floor from my search. I jogged up the first flight of stairs and looked down all three hallways on the second floor to find no trace of Loren. Damn, she’s fast. I went back to the grand staircase and stood there deciding whether I should undertake a room-by-room search when I heard a female sobbing loudly from the floor above. That has to be Loren. So, I begin walking up the staircase quietly and slowly.

When I reach the top floor, I see two women sitting on a bench a little way down the center hallway. Clearly, the sobbing figure is Loren being held by the other woman, who appears to be Sonja. I don’t want to interrupt or eavesdrop, but my mission was to find Loren and bring her back downstairs.

“Harlow means everything to me and Louis means nothing,” I hear Loren sob.

Of course! That explains her reaction! Loren actually has someone she already loves. I didn’t see that coming. She just doesn’t seem like the type to fall desperately in love. Maybe she was hoping to marry this Harlow fellow. That would explain why she’s taken such a disliking to Lou. Although, Lou has a way of putting people off him all by himself with all that sass; it can be overwhelming if you don’t know him. I feel terrible for Loren. I mean, it’s already bad enough to be forced into marriage when you don’t love the person, but Louis isn’t involved with anyone. Poor Loren has someone she loves. Before Loren reveals anymore of her secrets, I should make myself known.

“Ehem,” I clear my voice loudly which causes Loren to gasp and jump a little.

“Oh, um Harry.” Loren tries to straighten herself.

“Sorry to interrupt. Your father and Louis asked me to check on you,” I apologize.

“Louis? Why would he care?” She spat.

“Lor, you don’t know the real Lou. He’s a very caring person.” She scoffs at my comment. “I mean I’m sure he’s no Harlow, but he is a good man,” I defend my best friend.

Loren and Sonja look at each other and burst into hysterical laughter. I stand there extremely confused.

“Oh Harry! Eavesdrop much?” Loren chokes out through her laughter.

“I think I should leave you two to talk. Call me if you need me dear.” Sonja gives Loren on kiss on top of her head and walks away shaking her head and chuckling.

“What is so funny? I couldn’t help but hear you pining over Harlow. I’m so sorry you cannot be with the guy you love. You know Louis wouldn’t want that for you either.” I say earnestly and she laughs even harder.

“Oh Harold, come have a seat. You know, you could never be a spy. You’d confuse all the details and end up causing the next world war.” She continues to laugh at me while I walk over to her and take a seat next to Loren on the bench.

“Wait!! Is Harlow a girl?? You’re a lesbian??” I am shocked at my revelation and she swats me on the head. “Ouch!”

“Harold!! I am NOT a lesbian!!! Harlow is the ring that my father pulled out!”

“Ohhhhh,” I can’t help but chuckle at my own stupidity, “Well, on a good note, at least there isn’t a third person getting their life messed up by this marriage.”

“Yes, only Louis and I get to suffer. Wait! He doesn’t have a girlfriend, does he?”

“Nope. He’s been single for quite some time.”

“Oh good.”

“Oh, so you are interested in him?” I wiggle my eyebrows and she takes another swat at me, but I duck.

“No! I am just glad to hear there isn’t some girl getting her heart broken,” Loren sighs.

“Oh don’t worry. Hearts will be breaking all over the world when the sassmaster gets hitched to you.”

“Really? The girls fall all over him? I don’t see it. He’s so obnoxious.” She crinkles her face up.

“Again, you don’t know the real Louis. Over time, and if you two don’t kill each other in this marriage, you will get to learn who he really is and you’ll love him too.” She literally cackles at me.

“Under no circumstances in this lifetime will I ever love Louis Tomlinson,” she states defiantly.

“Don’t be so sure. You don’t want to bet against Lou or underestimate his charm.”

“Are you sure that YOU are not in love with him?” Loren teases.

“Uh no. We’ve battled those rumors for a few years now. I love him like a brother and nothing more.”

“So that little act earlier came from a real place?” She inquires with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes, apparently our fans would prefer I marry Lou,” we both laugh, “Hey Lor, can you tell me about Harlow? I’ve never heard of a piece of jewelry having a name.”

“Haven’t you heard of the Hope Diamond?”

“Oh, I guess I have. I’ve just never known anyone who gave their jewels proper names. I’m just a simple boy from Holmes Chapel.” I give her a cupcake pose and I get her to laugh again.

“I do apologize for running out like a crazy person. That ring. It was her ring. My mother’s prized possession. My father gave it to her as a gift when she told him she was pregnant with me. When I was little, she told me the story so many times. My father chose a canary diamond because he obviously didn’t know if they’d be having a son or a daughter and yellow was neutral,” she chuckled. “That ring represents a true love. It represents an important memory about my mother. My parents were so in love and for me to wear that ring would be a mockery to their marriage. It would break my heart to wear it under these circumstances. All these years, I thought my father never gave me the ring because it meant too much to him and represented a loss he would never recover from. Now, I don’t know what to think. Why would he want me to wear that ring? Harlow is known around the world as one of the most precious jewelry pieces created. I just don’t understand why he’d want me to wear it? It breaks my heart.”

Loren begins to cry again and I feel terrible for her. I scoot closer to her and fold her into my embrace gently rocking from side to side trying to soothe her.

“I don’t know what to say Lor. I can’t pretend to know the hurt you are feeling.” She dissolves into tears in my arms, hopefully letting all the hurt pour out of her. Loren and I have hit it off so well, like we’ve been friends for years. All I know is I want to make this pain go away for her. At this point, I feel much worse for her than Louis about this marriage.

“It’s okay Lor, just let it out. We’ll go back to dinner whenever you are ready.” We sit there for what seems like forever and I feel helpless as I watch her continue to cry.

Louis POV

I’ve sat in this study for the past 15 minutes trying to wrap my head around all the information that is being thrown at me. Alfonso handed me the ring after Loren ran out of the room and I’ve just sat here staring at it trying to process everything. What I’ve learned is, that in my hand, I hold one of the most famous jewels in the world and that it belonged to Loren’s mum, who was murdered by Alfonso’s enemies in retaliation for his refusal to launder money through his casinos for them. Apparently, history is threatening to repeat itself with Loren and this is the reason why Alfonso wants her married off as soon as possible.

“Fonzi, this is so much to take in. Why didn’t you tell Loren what was going on?”

“Louis, Senor Morul is a very dangerous man. He is the reason I kept Loren hidden away all these years. He learned of her graduation and that she was returning home. So, he came to me last week stating he wanted to marry her in exchange for peace. That’s when I told him she was already to be engaged and the announcement and marriage would be expected shortly. I could never sentence Loren to a life with that scum.”

“How did you know you were going to be able to act so quickly to find her a fiancé? And do you really think sentencing her to a life with me is that much better?”

“Louis, we are talking about the man I know is responsible for my wife’s murder. And, as I told you before, I chose you for Loren. When I got word of your trip here at the same time Loren was returning to Monaco, I knew my idea would work. She’s been at Cambridge. You are from England. It’s not so impossible to believe the two of you met there and kept it secret from everyone.”

“How is that possible?” Really? Could he predict the future would work exactly as he desired?

“I am successful because I study human nature. When I learned you and Harry were coming, I researched both of you. The way you are with your family and you charity work with children, told me you were the right man for my Loren. Then, when we talked about your estate and how you planned your security, I knew you could protect my daughter. I also knew from your background information that when you drink, you get a little wild. It didn’t take a crystal ball to predict you would get yourself in this mess.”

“So, you are saving your daughter by taking away my freedom.”

“Let me ask you something Louis. If one of your sister’s life was in danger, and the only way to protect her was to marry her to a man who could keep her safe, would you force the marriage to save her?”

When he put it like that, I had to stop and think a moment.

“I would like to think I would do the same to keep them safe.”

“That’s good to hear because when Morul learned today that you are Loren’s fiancé, your family became potential targets for him. The only way you can keep them safe is through the marriage and alliance with me.” It made me physically ill to hear for the second time in as many days that my family’s safety was called into question.

“Fonzi, how can I be sure my family will not be harmed?”

“Your marriage to Loren and taking her back to Europe, away from the business, will keep all of you safe. Live your life in the limelight, as you have been, and Morul will not dare to touch you, Loren, or your family. That said, this marriage must take place as quickly as possible to secure everyone’s safety. Every day that you and Loren are unwed poses a danger to all of you. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill you before the wedding, threaten your family, or harm Loren.”

“If this is the only way to keep us all safe, let’s get this wedding over with sooner than later.” I can’t believe I am agreeing to marry this girl who detests me.

“Louis, I’m glad you understand the situation. Now, you just need to convince Loren to wear Harlow and choose the date.”

“Me?!! She’ll probably shove that ring up my arse if she has the chance. Why is it so important she wear this ring anyhow? It obviously upset her to even look at it.”

“As I told you, this ring is well known. Loren wearing it as an engagement ring would send a strong statement to Morul that this upcoming marriage is real. Between your fame, the sensation of Loren wearing Harlow, and the love story we weave, the press will be so overwhelming Morul won’t dare make a move on any of you. Once you are married and gone from here, he will leave you all alone. Loren not being involved in the business will keep her safe. She’ll make you a good wife and manage your finances well.”

Well, I couldn’t argue with that. I’ll gain a wife and a wealth manager.

“So, I guess I should find Loren, since Harry seems to have lost her, and make this engagement official before my family arrives.”

“Welcome to the family Louis.” Alfonso extends his hand and I shake it.

“You say that now. Let’s see if you feel that way when Loren and I are ripping each other’s heads off.” He chuckles at my statement.

“That much passion will lead to a good marriage once you get to know each other. I’ll be waiting for you, Loren, and Harry in the dining room.”

I nod and leave the study in search of Loren. Hopefully, I’ll find Harry around here somewhere. My guess is I will find them upstairs in one of the bedroom suites. This could take some time and I know we are running against the clock with my family and the rest of the boys and Perrie arriving shortly. I head to the grand staircase and make my way up to the second floor.

Once I reach the second floor, I am faced with three hallways. I rub my face in frustration not knowing where to begin my search. Unfortunately, there were no house staff walking about who might know where I could find Loren and Harry. Suddenly, I hear a loud choking sound from above me. I wait and listen. Sure enough, more loud sobs catch my attention and I determine it’s Loren’s voice. As I begin to walk up the next flight of stairs, it hits me as odd that someone who came off so strong and cold could be in such a vulnerable state. I understand though after everything Alfonso just laid on me.

When I reach the third floor, I look down the three hallways and see an unexpected site in one of them. About 20 feet ahead of me, I see Harry and Loren sitting on a bench. He’s holding her and kissing the top of her head while she cries into his chest. Suddenly, a feeling runs through my body which I don’t understand. I feel a little anger course through me directed at Harry. Regardless of the ass I’ve been to Loren, it’s me Alfonso trapped into this marriage and it should be me comforting her – not Harry. Before my mind can catch up to my body, I feel myself close the short distance between us and I am standing in front of them. Harry looks up at me, surprise written all over his face.

“Lou, you didn’t have to come all the way up here. I was going to bring Lor down as soon as she calmed down a bit.” I noticed Loren flinch as soon as Harry mentioned my name and it made me angry. I was angry with her for being nice and trusting of Harry and repulsed by me and mad at Harry for endearing himself to her.

“Well, after all, Loren is my fiancé. I think it is my place to check on her.” Loren’s face pops up from Harry’s chest with a look of pure shock.

“Oh, well yes. I just did what you asked me to do.” Harry stammered.

“Well, it doesn’t look like you did a very good job considering you didn’t calm her down enough to return Loren to dinner.” I say raising my eyebrows at him. He needs to get the message to scram, but he’s just sitting there.

“Harold, your shirt is soaked. Why don’t you change and meet Fonzi in the dining room. I’d like to speak with Loren for a minute.” Yes, you shit. I called you Harold. You know that means get the hell out of here. Harry’s eyes go wide and I see he got the hint. He pulls Loren away from him and gives her hands a squeeze.

“Remember what I told you Lor. Get to know the real him.” He rises, gives her a wink, and leans over to kiss the top of her head. I want to punch him. What the hell is that supposed to mean? Get to know the real me? Did he tell her I was an ass? Well, I am. But I’m not that bad! I have my endearing qualities too! This has just been really stressful. I’d like to see how he would have reacted if he was the one forced into this marriage. Although, he seems to act like he would have liked that! Oh my God why am I ranting in my head?! I’m acting like some jealous lover. Snap out of it Lou!

I watch as Harry walks down the staircase. Loren straightens herself and looks very uptight while she tries to stop her tears. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and attempt to compose myself.

“Loren, do you mind if I take a seat?”

“No. Go right ahead.” Her voice sounds so small and broken that it shocks me. She keeps her head down and won’t look at me.

“I am very sorry.” I say to her as sincerely as possible. Her head snaps up and she gives me a look of surprise.

“For what?”

“Well, if I list out all my injustices against you, we’d be here for hours.” I got a little chuckle out of her.

“We’ve only known each other a few hours,” she says with a small smile and a sniffle.

“Then that just shows how badly I’ve botched up everything.” This time I’m rewarded with an actual laugh from her.

“I think I was less than kind myself.” I am stunned that the she-devil can apologize. I was expecting her to come back with a smart comment.

“Seeing as we are going to be stuck with each other for life, why don’t we try this all over again? Hello, I’m Louis Tomlinson, your fiancé. Nice to meet you.” I stick out my hand for Loren to shake it. She gives me a genuine smile and it softens her entire face. Underneath her geeky façade, there is some beauty hiding.

“Hello, I’m Loren Franchescho, your soon-to-be ball and chain. Lovely to meet you Louis.” She shakes my hand and we give each other warm smiles.

“So, shall we declare a truce?” I ask raising my eyebrow and giving her a questioning look.

“Hmmmm. Might be too soon for that.” She quirks her eyebrow at me. Oh no she didn’t.

“Excuse me, but are you trying to out sass me? I can’t have that from my future wife.” Yeah, deal with my sass babe.

“Deal with it.” She says with a deadpan look on her face. We stare each other down for what seems like an eternity and then we both explode in laughter.

“This is going to be a marriage made in either hell or a comedy show.” I say as I pull a face of mock horror and I’m rewarded with Loren’s laugh.

“Yes, I think that describes us perfectly,” she says in agreement.

I hate to bring down her mood again since I just pulled her out of a crying spell, but I know that time is not our friend and we need to get back downstairs.

“Loren, I hate to bring this up because it clearly devastated you but…” I pull Harlow from my shirt pocket and I see her eyes go big.

“Please don’t cry. I don’t want to upset you. I really don’t. Your father explained why this marriage is necessary and why he needs you to wear this ring. Do you think you could listen to what he told me and try to stay calm?” She only nods for me to continue.

“We have plenty of time for the details later, but in a nutshell, a man named Morul is threatening your life if your father doesn’t give you over to him in marriage. Morul knew you were coming home and, when your father got wind that Harry and I were coming to Monaco, he concocted this marriage in his head. He must really do his research because he was able to reel me in before I knew what hit me. Which brings me to another apology I owe you. I realize you had nothing to do with this plan. You were as shocked as I was. My reaction to you was out of anger and I was raised to behave better than that.”

“It’s okay Louis. I didn’t exactly behave nicely towards you either. And, I saw Morul leave my father’s office earlier and it made me shiver. He’s a frightening man and I know he’s responsible for my mother’s death even though my father never told me.”

“Well, you definitely are going to keep me on my toes! Apology accepted. And yes, your father told me about your mother’s death and that it was a retaliation murder staged by Morul. I am so sorry; my mum is everything to me. I can’t imagine how painful it was for you to lose your mum like that.”

The strong Loren I fought with earlier appears as the confidence returns to her face.

“Yes, I’d like him dead. You said my father also explained Harlow to you?”

“Yes he did. I understand why you reacted so strongly when he pulled it out. It’s absolutely amazing though. He wants you to wear it because you being seen and photographed wearing it will send a strong message to his enemies that this marriage is real and protect you, me, and my family.”

“So your family is in danger too? Oh, I am so sorry Louis you are mixed up in this.” Loren looks like she is going to cry again.

“No, don’t apologize. We can’t think about that now. We are in this together and if we can both pull this off, all of us will be safe. In fact, I’ll make you a deal.”

“What deal?”

“If you can be brave enough to wear Harlow, I will take you shopping for your own engagement ring and wedding band. Then, you can wear Harlow on your right hand so you won’t feel like you are betraying your mother’s memory. How does that sound?” Apparently, the first impression I made on her was worse than I thought because she looks completely dumbfounded. She must really think I don’t have a kind bone in my body.

“Uh love, you might want to close your mouth before you catch flies,” I tease her and she looks flustered.

“You would do that for me Lou?” I wonder if she realized she called me Lou. It sounds nice coming from her.

“Yes, I’m not the total wanker and ass you think I am.”

“Oh, that’s what Harry said.” She giggles and I quirk an eyebrow at her.

“What else did Harold say about me?” I question.

“That’s for me to know and for you to go crazy trying to figure out,” she laughs, “but really Lou, you are serious? We could go buy a different ring?”

“Yes, I am serious. I would do that for you. Besides, it would look really bad if Louis Tomlinson, international pop sensation, did not buy his future wife a ring of her own,” I sass and she shocks me by grabbing me and hugging me.

“Thank you Lou,” she whispers in my ear and it actually sends shivers down my spine, which shocks me. Even more surprising, while she’s hugging me tightly my arms are down at my sides and I realize that under the layers of clothing there is a little body underneath with breasts that are pressed against me. I start to feel a little awkward that my body is becoming excited. So, I pat her on the back and mercifully, she pulls away and I sit there a little confused.

I regain my composure and decide we need to get back downstairs. Time for the grand gesture. I get up from the bench and then get down on one knee in front of her holding out Harlow and grabbing her hand and she lets out a gasp.

“Loren Franchescho, will you do me the honor of joining me in this most unconventional union and be my wife?”

“You are an idiot. You know that, right?”

“Yes, I am painfully aware. Apparently, I am now your idiot if you will have me. So, wench are you going to marry me or what?”

“Well, since you asked so nicely. Yes, I suppose I will.”

“Thank you m’lady.” I say as I slip the ring onto her finger and she didn’t even flinch.

“You know, it really looks lovely on your hand Loren.”

“Thanks. It just seems a little surreal.”

“Well, my love. Shall we go down to dinner and come up with the tale of our love affair with your father and Harry?”

“Yes darling. I think we shall.” She exaggerates the endearment.

We get up and I take Loren’s hand and she looks at me like I’ve grown a second head.

“Loren, if we are going to be believable, we are going to have to be affectionate.” I actually heard her gulp.

“True. It’s just. I’ve never even had a boyfriend and now I’m getting married – to a stranger.” Aha, it never dawned on me that she would be completely inexperienced. Add a new level to this challenging situation.

“Well, I only ever had two girlfriends myself.” I don’t dare tell her how many girls I’ve slept with because I don’t think that would be comforting to her.

“Oh, Louis Tomlinson, international pop sensation, is not a womanizer?” She sasses.

“Well, uh. Shit.”

“Oh and he blushes!” She’s enjoying this and I’m just going to let her think she won.

“Okay, okay. Let’s go down to dinner and get to business.” I grab her hand again and lead her down the stairs.

“Yes dear.” She says with the right amount of sass and sarcasm mixed into it.

“Lord help me.” I say in mock prayer and Loren giggles and puts her head on my shoulder for a moment.

The shocking thing is that it felt like her head fit there perfectly…and that was starting to scare me.

Notes

Okay, that was a long chapter. The longest so far. So, being as I put so much effort into it, I think I will wait until I'm up to 15 votes and five new comments before I post the next chapter since someone dropped me from my 10.0 rating :(.